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Father Roy Thaden

1943 - 2026

Father Roy Thaden obituary, 1943-2026, Los Gatos, CA

BORN

1943

DIED

2026

FUNERAL HOME

Darling & Fischer Chapel of the Hills

615 North Santa Cruz Avenue

Los Gatos, California

Roy Thaden Obituary

Father Roy Thaden, SJ, a Tacoma native, Jesuit priest, and longtime missionary in Africa, died on February 17, 2026, at 83 years of age. Fr. Thaden graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory in 1961 and after ordination to the priesthood in 1973, served as a missionary in Zambia from 1974-2019. Fr. Thaden is survived by his sister, Sister Elaine Thaden, O.S.F., of Aston, Pennsylvania, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A funeral will be held Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11:15 a.m. at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, CA. For a full obituary and Funeral Mass livestream information please see: www.jesuitswest.org/in-memoriam.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by News Tribune (Tacoma) from Feb. 23 to Feb. 25, 2026.

Memories and Condolences
for Roy Thaden

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6 Entries

Father L. Michael Pope, S.J.

February 24, 2026

His passing leaves us less for his absence but MORE for God´s grace that has come to us through his life and priesthood.

Frances McKamey

February 24, 2026

God bless you Fr. Thaden! Well done, good and faithful servant!

J.L. Drouhard

February 24, 2026

Roy Thaden was a wonderful priest in mission to Zambia (got to know him through our archdiocesan Missions Office), and then in Tacoma through St. Leo parish. Angelic blessings be upon him and his Jesuit family.

Carol Colleran

February 24, 2026

And I am sorry for the loss for Elaine and for the Jesuit community.

Carol Strobel Colleran

February 24, 2026

As a child, we lived at the southern corner of the block the Thadens lived on. Roy was a year younger than me, but we occasionally played together until we moved two blocks away. The Thaden gang was a big part of our family's early life!

Darling & Fischer Chapel of the Hills

February 22, 2026

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

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Memorial Events
for Roy Thaden

Feb

27

Funeral Mass

11:15 a.m.

Sacred Heart Jesuit Center

Los Gatos, CA

Funeral services provided by:

Darling & Fischer Chapel of the Hills

615 North Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030

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